Thursday, August 14, 2008

Your what itches?

I have had quite a few laughs at other parents' tales of their children's antics, but in my 17 years as a parent there haven't been too many times that my children have embarrassed me in public. Well, I guess there's a first time for everything.

I took the smaller kids to the library today and after they had played with the puzzles in the kids' section, chosen their books and checked out; I told them it was time to go. The two middle ones were enjoying some rocking chairs across the room from where I was and as Amareah, my 3-year-old daughter, slide to the front of the chair she said, "Mommy, my butt itches."

Well, there weren't too many people there so I hoped the lady sitting at the table and the librarian didn't understand what she said.

"Amareah, don't tell everyone," I responded as quietly and nonchalantly as I could.

"But it itches." She's still not close enough for me to clamp my hand over her mouth!

She jumps down from the chair and promptly reaches behind herself to scratch! Oh, the horror! I could have melted into the floor.

I gave a polite smile and said, "Don't do that... you don't let everyone know..."

"You need to wipe my butt 'cause it itches."

Finishing my sentence at this junction seemed pointless. By this time she was standing quite near to the woman at the table so I assumed the lady heard her. I gave her a smile and ushered my children out the door.

I tried to explain to Amareah that some stuff you don't say in public, you make sure to keep it private.

"But it itches," she says again.

I might as well have been talking to myself.

Sigh.

Don't laugh... :) I know you have some funny stories too. Be sure to share!